Ensemble for displaying pictures and the like



ENSEMBLE FOR DISPLAYING PICTURES AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 10, 1959 D. M. KNOX Jan. 3, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR 04 v10 /7. KA/ax BY W ATTORN ENSEMBLE FOR DISPLAYING PICTURES AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 10, 1959 D. M. KNOX 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 3, 1961 flAV/D M /(,v0x

Q 6 ATTORNEYS iIP Jan. 3, 1961 D. M. KNOX 2,966,755

ENSEMBLE FOR D ISPLAYING PICTURES AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 10, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 NVENTOR 77 04v/o M ,k/vox BY W W ATTORNEYS Unite ENSEMBLE FOR DISPLAYING PICTURES AND THE LIKE This invention relates in general to picture display devices and in particular relates to a unique ensemble for displaying a wide range of picture sizes in any of a large variety of face effects.

Pictures for viewing or displaying comprise several different types, for example, oil or water color, photographic, lithographic and the like. Regardless of the particular type, each picture has certain individualism or independent character and, for best display, special consideration must be paid to the contrast between picture and surrounding media or framing so as to obtain desired face effects. This contemplates framing which permits desired coordination as to picture size and shape, color effect, picture depth, size and contouring of the moldings and the like. It is not practical for one to have on hand a special frame for every picture to be displayed so as to obtain best display results.

With that in mind then, the principal object of the invention is to provide a single picture display ensemble usable for a wide range of picture sizes and permitting, for any such size, exceedingly varied and delicate coordination between picture and framing.

In one aspect the invention contemplates a frame for a picture display ensemble comprised of nested moldings, each of varying size, color and contour, all held together in a composite unit and arranged so that the relative positions of the moldings and the picture supported thereby may be varied with respect to one another so as to provide an almost infinite variety of viewing effects.

In another aspect the invention contemplates a generally rectangular, box-like main molding having nested therein a variety of smaller moldings adapted to support a picture, both the main molding and the nested moldings being provided with differing contoured and/or colored surfaces and the nested moldings being invertible and transpositional so as to provide a wide variety of face effects.

In another aspect the invention contemplates a picture display ensemble having a main outer molding which supports a plurality of different sized inner moldings which are invertible and whose relative positions may be changed and having a removable transparent front member together with a movable resilient back member having a closed position wherein it exerts a force against the nested molding members and holds the same in fixed position.

In another aspect the invention contemplates a frame for a picture display ensemble comprised of nested moldings, each of varying size, color and contour, all held together in a composite box-like unit which may be set up for display on an upright surface such as a wall or on a horizontal surface such as the top of a table.

In another aspect the invention contemplates a picture display ensemble having a main outer molding which supports a plurality of different sized inner moldings and having a removable transparent'front member together with a movable resilient back member having a closed position wherein it exerts a force to interengage the nested Patent ice molding members with the front member and thereby holding the inner molding members in fixed position.

In another aspect the invention contemplates a picture display ensemble, especially for the display of oil paintings, and having a main outer molding which sup.- ports a plurality of different sized inner moldings for holding the painting, a removable front stop member together with a movable resilient back member having a closed position wherein it exerts a force to interengage the inner molding members with the stop and thereby holding the inner molding members and painting in fixed position.

Another aspect of the invention contemplates a picture display ensemble especially adapted for the display of oil paintings including a main outer molding which supports a plurality of different sized inner moldings for holding the painting and a removable front stop member together with a resilient back member which functions to interengage the inner moldings with the stop to thereby hold the inner moldings and the painting in position.

Another aspect of the invention contemplates a picture display ensemble especially adapted for loading and unloading the picture from the front and including a main outer molding member having a resilient back member and a removable front member, the picture being removable when the front is removed and, when disposed in the ensemble, being positioned or gripped interjacent the front and back by virtue of pressure exerted by the resiliency of the back.

In another aspect the invention contemplates a picture display ensemble having a main molding member forming part of a chamber of considerable depth, the chamber being adapted to hold several nested molding members, for holding a picture and to provide for variation in the depth or setting of the picture in the ensemble.

In another aspect the invention contemplates for a picture ensemble of the kind described, a removable transparent front member slidable inwardly and outwardly of a frame and having dust-retarder means closing off the slot.

The manner in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is constructed will be apparent from the following description and drawings wherein:

Figure l is a front sectional elevational View of the ensemble as taken along the line 11 of Figure 2;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section taken along the line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a cross section taken on the line 33 of Figure 1 and showing how the picture may be supported at one depth within the ensemble;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary isometric view showing the manner in which the picture may be supported at another depth within the ensemble;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary cross section showing in particular how the nested molding members may have contours on opposite surfaces;

Figure 6 is a detailed view partially in section and showing in particular a dust-retarder device attached to the transparent front member;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary view partially in section showing one manner in which a front stop member is provided for the inner nested frames, the ensemble being especially adapted for the display of oil paintings;

Figure 8 is a sectional elevational view illustrating an arrangement of the invention particularly for the display of oil paintings, the front stop member being of the flexible type;

Figure 8a is a sectional view of the front stop member of Figure 8;

Figure 9 is a view taken along the lines 9-9 of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a sectional elevational view illustrating an arrangement of the invention particularly for the display of oil paintings, the front stop member being of the rigid type;

Figure 11 is a plan view of Figure with certain parts broken away; a and Figure 12 is a view taken along the lines 1212 of Figure 11.

As best seen in Figures 1 and 2, the ensemble comprises an annular-shaped outer molding A, a plurality of annular-shaped moldings B within the outer molding, a transparent front member C and a movable back member D. The picture which is supported within the ensemble is indicated by the letter P. The picture and the inner molding members are, of course, all viewable through the front member.

In Figure 1 the ensemble is shown in its normal viewing postion and may be considered as being suspended from a vertical wall, for example, as by the hooks 1 attached tothe outer molding or resting on a flat surface such as a table.

Alternatively, the ensemble may be turned 90 to that shown with the hooks being located on either of the shorter sides, and either of the shorter sides being adapted to support the ensemble on a table.

The outer molding A is made up of four side pieces, 2, 3, 4 and 5, which are connected together at the mitered joints indicated by 6. The configuration of the molding forms a central aperture 10. It will be observed that .the edges of the side pieces 2, 3, 4 and 5 adjacent the aperture are contoured. The transparent front member C is removably mounted on the outer molding A as follows. A groove 11 is formed on the outer molding adjacent the mouth of the aperture by means of appropriate grooves 12, 13 and 14 respectively formed on the side pieces 3, 4 and 5. The side piece 2 is formed with a slot 15 in the same plane as the groove 11. As will be apparent, the front member C rests in the groove 11 and the slot 15 and may be moved outwardly through the slot 15. To assist in the removal and also to prevent dust from filtering through the slot, the front member has a trim piece 16 (Figures 3 and 5) which is secured along the edge with some suitable adhesive. The outside face of the trim piece has a pair of finger grips 20 which may be used to pull the front member outwardly. To assist in this operation the side piece 4 has a poke hole 21 through which the finger orsome instrument such as a pencil may be inserted to push against the front member. The trim piece fits snugly in the slot and retards the passage of dust.

In lieu of the trim piece 16, the front member C may be provided with a flexible binding strip 22 such as shown in Figure 6. The binding strip may be made of rubber or some flexible plastic and secured to the edge of the front member C by any suitable adhesive. The binding strip not only prevents the passage of dust through the slot, but in addition engages the sides of the slot and serves as a means for firmly retaining the front member in position.

The back member D is constructed in accordance with the disclosure or" my copending application Serial No. 672,765, filed July 18, 1957 and entitled Picture Holder and which on September 1, 1959, issued as Patent No. 2,901,850, and, therefore, the structure need not be described in detail. For present purposes, suflice it to say that the back member comprises a truncated resilient piece 23, the peripheral edge of which is secured to the side pieces 2, 3, 4 and 5 by means of the retaining strips 24. On the front of the resilient piece 23 there is a follower 25 and on the back there is a stiffener 26, both of these elements being retained by means of the rivets 30. The stiffener is also provided with a handle 31. By manipulation of the handle 31 the back member may be moved to its closed position which is shown by the full lines in Figure 2 and to open position which is shown by the dot and dash lines 32 in Figure 2.

fashion.

The outer molding A, the front member C, the back member D all cooperate to form a chamber 33.

In the embodiment shown, the inner moldings comprise the pieces 34, 35 and 36. These are disposed over the mats 37 and 38 on the picture P carried by the corrugated cardboard piece 40 mounted on the support plate 41 on the follower 25 of the back member D. The support plate 41 is preferably made of some stiff material such as wood or metal. The inner moldings and mats are of diiferent size and/or shape and each has a different sized aperture, all of the latter being generally coaxial with the aperture 10.

With the back member-in the closed position as shown in Figure 2, the resilient piece 23 exerts a force toward the front piece 11 so that the elements 41, 40, picture P, mats 38, 37 and moldings 36, 35 and 34 are all tightly interengaged, the molding 34 being pressed against the front member C which in turn engages on the sides of the groove 11 and slot 15. In this condition the moldings, picture, etc., are all held in position. The front member C functions as a stop. 7

All of the elements 41, 40, picture P, mats 38, 37 and moldings 36, 35 and 34 are freely slidable in the chamber and, when the back member is pulled to the open position, all of these elements move away from the front piece C to a position such as shown in Figure 5.

When the parts are in the position as shown in Figure 5, it will be apparent that by removing the front member C, free access is provided to the chamber 33 so that all of the inner moldings and the picture may be readily removed and then put back into the chamber in the desired Thus, the invention provides for a picture ensemble to be loaded and unloaded from the viewing or front side. This has many advantages which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, for example, the danger of stratching or marring a picture by sliding the same into the chamber is eliminated. Furthermore, the depth of the picture in the chamber and the particular combination of inner molding contours can be quickly and readily changed so that the best possible display can be effected in the minimum amount of time.

In Figures 2 and 3 the inner moldings 34, 35 and 36 are contoured on one side only. However, it is contemplated that such moldings may have their opposite face contoured. For example, in Figure 5 the molding 43 has contours 44 and 45; the molding 59 has contours 51 and 52; and the molding 53 has contours 54 and 55.

Having the details of construction in mind, it will be readily apparent from an inspection of Figures 1 and 2, that the media or framing surrounding the picture in the main comprise nested moldings, namely, the outer molding A and the inner moldings B, with the outer and inner moldings being stacked or nested together in layers.

The construction provides that the relative positions of the inner moldings in the stack may be readily changed by removing the front member, removing the inner mold ings, and then replacing the same in the order desired. The foregoing will be readily apparent from a comparison of Figures 2 and 4. In Figure 2 the moldings are-a1- ranged in the order of 34, 35 and 36, while in Figure 4 the single molding 36 on mat 37 is arranged forward of the picture P. The elements 48 and 41, mat 38 and moldings 35 and 34 are behind the picture. It will be appreciated that a wide variety of changes in molding position is obtainable and that with each such change a different face effect is provided.

Furthermore, the inner moldings may be inverted in position and this is particularly useful where opposite sides of the molding have different contours. In Figure 5 the moldings 43, 50 and 53 have opposite surfaces differently contoured with one of the surfaces being like the corresponding moldings 34, 35 and 36 in Figure 2. In Figure 5 it will be seen that the top molding 43 has been inverted or turned over with respect to its counter part molding of Figure 2. This feature greatly augments the number of possible changes in face effects.

The structure provides for the picture to be supported between the back and the group of moldings or between any two adjacent moldings and, therefore, the depth effect of the picture in the ensemble may be readily changed. For example, in Figure 2 it will be seen that the moldings 34, 35 and 36 are forward of the picture P so that the picture is supported between the back D and the group of inner moldings. With this arrangement the maximum depth effect is obtained. However, in Figure 4 it will be noted that only the molding 36 is forward of the picture which is disposed and supported between moldings 35 and 36. The depth effect is decreased Or changed. The structure providing for ready change of depth effect has an additional advantage in that moldings, pictures, mats or other items may be stored in the space between the picture and the back member as will be apparent from an inspection of Figure 4.

The inner moldings may vary in number; for example, the invention contemplates a single inner molding rather than a plurality as shown. In this regard the depth of the outer molding or the thickness of the single inner molding may be appropriately arranged. Thus in Figure 2 the moldings 34, 35 and 36 may be a single unitary piece. Furthermore, the innermoldings may take a wide variety of shapes and forms and have differing contours and colors. So, too, the depth of the outer molding member and the configuration of its edge may vary to a large extent.

Over the years it has been required or has been the custom to use a transparent member in the display of water colors and it will be noted that the ensemble described above includes a transparent front member. With oil paintings, however, it has been the custom or has been required that a transparency not be used. The invention is uniquely adaptable for the display of oil paintings. For this purpose, the invention contemplates that the transparent front member be replaced by an annular-shaped stop which is inserted in the ensemble in the same position as the transparent member and the manner in which this is done is described below.

In Figure 7 the outer molding A', the back member D and the inner moldings 60, 61 and mats 62 and 63 are constructed the same as their counterparts shown in Figures 1-3, i.e., outer molding A, back member D, inner moldings 34, 35 and mats 37 and 38. The oil painting OP is mounted on a conventional stretcher frame 64. The groove 11 and the slot 15' which are formed on the outer molding A are the same as the groove 11 and slot 15 in Figures 1 and 2. The transparent front has been replaced by a front stop member 65 supported in the slot 15 and groove 11. The front stop 65 has a trim piece 16' which is the same as the trim piece 16 shown in Figure 3. .The front stop 65 is annularly shaped having a central viewing aperture 66 through which the oil painting OP may be observed.

In Figure 8 the outer molding 70 is contoured as indicated and is formed of four separate parts joined together at mitered joints (not shown) similarly as is the outer molding A of Figures l-3. At one end of the outer molding 70 is a back member 71 which preferably comprises the rigid plate 72 and resilient member 73. The resilient member 73 is preferably annular in shape and is made from foam rubber or the like. A removable leveling plate 74 abuts the cushioning member 73.

Inside of the outer molding member 70 are the inner moldings 74, 75, 76, 77 and mat 78. The moldings 74-77 are similar to those described in connection with Figures l-3 but having somewhat different contours. The oil painting OP is mounted on a conventional stretcher frame 80. The liner 81 is disposed between the molding 76 and the picture. Two opposite sides of the outer molding 70 are formed with grooves 82 and 83. The other opposite sides, one of which is shown in Figure 9,

are formed with a shoulder as indicated at 84; As is shown, the grooves 82 and 83 support the front'stop member 85. I

In the position shown, the resilient member 73 is compressed, that is to say, its surface 73a is moved away from the front. This is the closed position of the resilient member and in this position it exerts a force to cause the inner moldings, liner, stretcher frame and mat to be interengaged with the front stop member and held in fixed position. When the front stop member is removed from the ensemble, the restraint is relieved and the top surface 73a of the resilient member moves toward the front. This is the open position, of the resilient member and it causes the top surface 74a of the molding 74 to be moved to a position about co-planar with the center of the mouths of grooves 82 and 83. The resilient member 73, the inner molding members, the frame 80, etc., are all designed so that when the front stop is removed, the edge of the outermost molding occupies the position mentioned, this being the case irrespective of the relative positions of these elements within the chamber.

The front stop member is annular in shape (like the stop 65 of Figure 7) but is flexible. When it is desired to remove the member, a pencil or the like is inserted in the poke hole 86 to move the edge of the stop out of the groove 83, this motion being accommodated by distortion of the stop, for example, as indicated by the dotted line 90. When the front stop member pops out of the groove 83, the other edge can be pulled out of the groove 82 and the stop removed from the ensemble.

Preferably the front stop member is formed or molded so that it has a permanent curved set such as shown in Figure 8a. When the front member is in the grooves 82 and 83, it tries to retain its original shape and, therefore, exerts a force on the edges of the groove and also on the sides of the molding 74 adjacent the shoulders 84. This inherent force of the front member (due to its shape) together with the opposing force exerted by the molding 74 (due to resilient member 73) keeps the front member fiat and firmly held in position.

The front member may be quickly inserted in the ensemble by first forcing one edge in the groove 82 and then bending to the position as shown by the dotted lines'90 and then pushing on the sides so that the other edge enters the groove 83.

In the construction just described, it will be noted that the oil painting is supported at its full depth. However, it will be apparent that by rearranging the inner moldings the painting may be displayed at any one of several different depths.

molding member 95, back member 96 comprising a plate 100, a resilient member 101, leveling plate 102 and inner moldings 103, 104, 105 and mats 106 and 107. The oil painting OP" is supported on the stretcher frame 108 which is disposed between the mat 106 and the liner 109.

The front stopmember 110 is annular in shape and one of the long sides 111 has a projection 112 and each of the short sides has short projections 113 and 114. The molding member 95 is formed (on the long sides) with grooves 115 and 116 which respectively accommodate the long sides 111 and 120 of the front stop member. The grooves are deep enough to accommodate some slight motion (left and right) of the front stop member. The groove 115 is undercut at 121 to accommodate the projection 112. The short sides of the molding member 95 are undercut at 122 and 123 to accommodate the short projections 113 and 114.

To remove the front stop member the same is first moved to the left (by pushing to the side 111) until the side 120 comes free of the groove 116. The member is then twisted or the short sides buckled slightly of the grooves 122 and 123. The front stop member is then rotated to the position indicated by the dotted lines 110a and then pulled to the right until the side 111 comesfr'ee of the groove 115. The front stop member then can be completely removed from the ensemble. At this time the resilient back member 101 is unrestrained and pushes the inner moldings, etc., slightly outwardly so that the outer surface of the molding 103 is about co-planar with the center of the mouths of the grooves 115 and 116.

To insert the front stop member it is positioned as generally indicated by the dotted lines 11% or so that the side 111 is disposed at the opening of the groove 115. The stop is then pushed to the left and rotated downw'ardly so that the side 111 enters the groove. In'pushing and rotating the front member'the side 111 acts as a lever in the sense of pushing inwardly on the molding 103, the inward movement of the molding being accommodated by the resilient back member 101. When the stop is rotated to the position indicated by the dotted lines 110a, the short sides are buckled inwardly so that with further rotation the projections 113 and 114 slide past the outer molding 95. When the front member has been moved into engagement with the molding 103, an inward force is exerted on the side 1241 so that the molding 1113 will be pushed inwardly and so that the side 120 can be moved into the groove 116 by moving the same to the right.

When the front member is in the position shown in Figure the resilient back member forces the long sides 12%) and 111 (including the projection 112) firm against the sides of the grooves 116 and 115. Also, theprojections 113 and 114 on the short sides are forced against the sides of the cutouts 122 and 123.

The projections on the short sides of the stop member prevent any tendency of the short sides to buckle outwardly due to the force of the resilient back member.

With respect to Figure 10, it will be noted that the slot 115 is somewhat deeper than the slot 116. This is necessary in order to accommodate the motion of the front stop member in inserting or removing the same. In this regard the projection 112 obtains the necessary 'overlap between the side 111 and groove 115 without making the groove 115 so deep that the top of'the outer molding 95 is seriously weakened.

From the foregoing it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the ensemble disclosed provides a relatively simple and inexpensive means for obtaining widely varying contrast between a picture and its surrounding media. As a practical matter, the changes in contrast make for an almost infinite variety of different face effects. Further, it will be readily apparent that pictures of widely varying kinds and sizes are readily accommodated by the structure of the invention.

The resilient back member is of importance in the ensemble because it provides for positively holding the assembly of the inner moldings and the picture, yet, when in open position, providing that the inner moldings and picture can be easily removed from the chamber.

It will be understood that in any of the embodiments described, the outer molding, inner molding, mats. etc., may be made from a wide variety of standard materials such as wood, metal, plastic and the like.

I claim:

1. A picture display ensemble comprising: an annularshaped outer molding having front and back portions and formed with a'viewing aperture in said front portion; a removable front stop member disposed adjacent said front portion and at least part of which extends around the periphery of said aperture; a back member connected to the back portion of said housing and having a resilient portion movable toward and away from said front stop member; means on said stop member. and on said outer molding providing for mounting the stop-member on the outer molding andfor removing the stop member from the outer molding through said aperture While said back member, including the resilient portion, remains connected with said outer molding; and a plurality of annular-shaped inner moldings for holding a picture, the inner moldings being disposed in stacked relationship and mounted in the outer molding and said resilient portion exerting a pressure on said inner moldings to cause the same to be interengaged with one another and with said stop member so that the inner moldings and any picture supported thereby'are all firmly held in. position.

2. A construction in accordance with claim 1 wherein said front stop member is a transparent member and said means includes the peripheral edge of the stop memher and a groove on the outer molding holding said edge and a slot in said outer molding in communication with said groove.

3. A construction in accordance with claim 1 where in said front stop member is annular in shape and said means includes the peripheral edge of the stop member and a groove on the outer molding holding said edge and a slot in said outer molding in communication with said groove.

4-. A construction in accordance with claim 1 wherein said front stop member is annular in shape and said means includes the peripheral edge of'the. stop member and a groove on said outer molding holding said edge, the groove and the stop member being configured to provide for a sliding motion of the stop member in the groove.

5. A construction in accordance with claim 1 wherein said front stop member is annular in shape and is made of flexible material and said means includes the peripheral edge of the stop member and a groove in said outer molding holding said edge, the groove and the stop member being configured to providefor asliding motion of the stop member in the groove.

6. A construction in accordance with claim 1 wherein said back member includes a rigid plate connected to said outer molding and said resilientportion comprises a piece of sponge rubber.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 409,526 Underhill Au 20, 1889 1,692,999 Siegel Nov. 27, 1928 FOREIGN PATENTS 14,192 Great Britain June 15, 1911 133,874 Great Britain Oct. 23, 1919 491,031 Germany Feb. 7, 1930 1,020,536 France Nov. 19, 1952 

